It’s high season in Puerto Vallarta, which means comfortable weather and busy beaches, yet my social media feeds are absolutely drowning in, “Is such and such worth it?”

I see it about beaches, boat tours, day trips, tacos and entire towns. Everyone wants to know if the thing they’re about to spend time and money on is going to live up to the hype. And honestly? That’s completely fair. Time is limited, vacations are precious and nobody wants to spend a day thinking, “Well, this could’ve been a nap.”

Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast lives up to the hype

So instead of chiming in on each comment section like a know-it-all, I decided to lump them all together and give you what I’ll now be calling my “beaches, boat tours, day trips, tacos and entire towns must-see and do list that’s practically begging for your attention!” It’s a mouthful, but so is trying to answer the same question 50 different ways.

People often call it island hopping here, but that’s not quite right. What you’re really doing is exploring the boat-access-only beaches and villages south of Puerto Vallarta.

No big islands, no castaway fantasy, just stretches of coastline where the jungle meets the sea and the road quietly gives up. It feels wild without being intimidating, which is an incredibly appealing middle ground.

This entire journey can also be done on foot. From Boca de Tomatlán all the way to Quimixto, there’s a coastal trail that connects these beaches one by one. 

Boat, hike or a mix of both. That flexibility is part of what makes this area so special, and also why people argue about the “best” way to do it. The correct answer to that debate is “personal choice.”

Boca de Tomatlán

This is where it all begins, whether you’re hiking or hopping on a panga. It’s a small fishing village, and it feels like a natural gateway to everything south of it.

Boats bob in the river, hikers compare notes over coffee and there’s a quiet sense that you’re about to go somewhere different.

Boca itself is delightful, but it’s really the starting point rather than the main attraction. Worth stopping, worth eating and absolutely worth appreciating as the threshold between accessible and adventure.

Colomitos

Just beyond Boca is Colomitos, often hyped as one of the smallest beaches in Mexico. It’s tiny, yes, but it’s also genuinely charming.

A short hike or a quick boat ride gets you to this little cove with emerald water and a jungle backdrop that feels almost too perfect, like it was designed specifically for postcards and engagement photos. But because it’s so close to Boca, it fills up quickly, especially during the high season.

But if you go early or pass through as part of a longer day, you can think of it as a beautiful introduction rather than a place to settle in for hours.

Madagascar Beach

It’s one of those stops that surprises people, mostly because they weren’t expecting to hear the word Madagascar in Mexico. Visitors can look forward to a small, rocky beach with clear water and a quieter feel than its neighbors.

If you’re hiking, it’s a natural pause point. If you’re boating, it’s often a swim stop rather than a long stay.

Madagascar doesn’t scream for attention, and that’s kind of its charm. It’s perfect for those who like places that feel a little under the radar and don’t need a sign explaining why they’re special.

Playa Caballo

Playa Caballo is where the journey starts to feel more rewarding. It’s wide, sandy and dramatic, with a sense of space that some of the smaller coves lack.

If you’re hiking, it’s a satisfying place to stop, drop your pack and actually relax for a while without feeling like you’re in someone else’s beach day. If you arrive by boat, it feels like a proper destination rather than a brief interruption.

Las Ánimas

The next stop on our tour feels like a sudden return to civilization. After the quieter beaches, Las Ánimas is lively and social. Restaurants line the shore, music drifts over the water and lunch isn’t something you have to plan or overthink.

This isn’t a hidden escape, but it is easy and fun. It’s perfect if you’re hungry, thirsty and very happy to sit in the sand for longer than you intended.

Yelapa

Get ready for the energy to shift again. Whether you arrive by boat or on foot, Yelapa immediately feels slower and more layered. It’s a village, not just a beach and that makes a difference.

The walk to the waterfall is part of the experience, as is wandering through town and watching daily life unfold between cafés, homes and beach bars. The water at the main beach isn’t the clearest you’ll swim in, but Yelapa has personality in spades. It’s the place that quietly convinces people to stay longer than planned and then reorganize their entire itinerary around that decision.

Quimixto 

This is the final stop, and it feels like a pretty perfect ending. The village is a little rougher around the edges and a little less polished than Yelapa. But that’s part of the appeal. The waterfall hike here is steeper and requires a lot more effort, which makes the payoff feel earned. 

Whether you arrive sweaty from the trail or sun-kissed from the boat, Quimixto has a genuine sense of accomplishment to it, like you’ve actually gone somewhere rather than just passed through.

Also worth visiting: Los Arcos and Majahuitas

Los Arcos often gets lumped into these conversations, even though it’s closer to town and not part of the hike. It’s still worth mentioning because it’s undeniably beautiful.

The rock formations are dramatic, the water is clear and snorkeling here is genuinely fun. It’s busy, especially in high season, but it’s one of those places where the hype exists for a reason, not just because someone needed content.

Majahuitas sits slightly outside the Boca-to-Quimixto hiking route, but it deserves its reputation. It’s a sheltered cove with calm, clear water and a peaceful, tucked-away feeling. If you’re choosing between hike-only beaches and boat-only stops, Majahuitas makes a very strong case for getting on a boat at least once.

Hiking, boating or both?

The important thing to understand is that you don’t have to choose between hiking and boating. Some people hike one direction and take a panga back. Some hop between beaches by boat and hike a section that looks particularly beautiful. This coastline lets you build the day you want instead of forcing you into a single experience, which is surprisingly rare and deeply underrated.

So, is exploring Puerto Vallarta’s southern beaches worth it? Yes. Absolutely, 100%. But only if you pick the stops that match your energy, respect the distance involved and remember that not every beach has to change your life to be enjoyable.

Some will wow you. Some will simply be lovely. And sometimes lovely, sweaty, sun-soaked and ending the day with tired legs and salt in your hair is exactly the point.

In high season, especially, worth it doesn’t have to mean empty, untouched or perfect. Sometimes it just means you had a really great day.

Charlotte Smith is a writer and journalist based in Mexico. Her work focuses on travel, politics, and community. You can follow along with her travel stories at www.salsaandserendipity.com.